Both Byron and Cabot were immediately put on leave, Axios reported.
Data tech company CEO Andy Byron and Chief People Officer Kristin Cabot are reportedly negotiating their resignations following the controversy sparked by a viral video recorded at a Coldplay concert in Boston. The clip, which featured the two hugging on a "kiss cam," brought the data tech firm into the limelight for the wrong reasons.
Both Byron and Cabot were immediately put on leave, Axios reported. The two are now in negotiations over the terms of their resignation and compensation packages, the report added. The reason for Astronomer's delayed official response, according to sources quoted by Axios, is "Byron's slow resignation and exit package negotiations."
A day after the event, the Astronomer spoke out for the first time through a LinkedIn post. The business company said, "Our leaders are supposed to lead by example in conduct as well as accountability. The Board of Directors has convened an official inquiry into this incident, and we will have more information to update very soon."
The statement further clarified that another employee, Alyssa Soddard—previously rumored to have attended the concert—was absent during the event.
Industry observers and social media users have widely speculated on Byron's exit from the company. On the forecasting platform Kalshi, percentages of Byron's resignation exceeded 70%, with users wagering on his forthcoming resignation.
Even as there has been speculation about Byron resigning or facing disciplinary action, the Astronomer has not yet issued any public confirmation in this regard. What is certain is that the moment of viral fame has thrown a long shadow over the company's public reputation and internal leadership.
Andy Byron was named CEO of Astronomer in July 2023. The leader in the data infrastructure space, Byron's sudden downfall has surprised much of the industry. Kristin Cabot, who arrived in 2024, was regarded as the company's figure for human resources change.
With the internal probe still ongoing, further updates are imminent shortly.
